Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Toyota could not use the Highlander name in Australia and Japan, since it is a trim line of the Hyundai Terracan SUV.

Called the Kluger in Japan and Australia, the Highlander shared the Toyota Camry platform with its Lexus RX/Toyota Harrier cousin and came in 5 and 7-seater configurations. It came standard with front wheel drive, with optional all wheel drive. The Highlander was not meant for serious off roading, unlike competitors such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chevrolet TrailBlazer, and Toyota's own 4Runner. It remained a sales success for Toyota in a number of markets across the world. Originally, it was longer than the 1996-2002 4Runner, but the 4Runner surpassed the Highlander in length for 2003.

The Highlander was available in three trim lines in the USA: the Base model, the Sport model, and the Limited model. The Base and Limited models were present when the Highlander was initially introduced, while the Sport model was introduced in March of 2006.

The Kluger was available in three trim lines in Australia: the CV model, the CVX model, and the Grande model. A limited edition CV Sport model was also released in 2006. There is currently no hybrid model available in Australia. The only engine offered is the 3.3L 3MZ-FE V6.

The 3.0 L engine was able to propel the Highlander from 0-60 mph in approximately 8.8 seconds. In 2004 the Highlander was given a new 3.3L V6 engine to compete with the more powerful V6 offerings from its competitors, mainly the Nissan Murano and the Honda Pilot. The 3.3L engine made it possible for the Highlander to reach 0 to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds.

The 3.0 L engine was able to propel the Highlander from 0-60 mph in approximately 8.8 seconds. In 2004 the Highlander was given a new 3.3L V6 engine to compete with the more powerful V6 offerings from its competitors, mainly the Nissan Murano and the Honda Pilot. The 3.3L engine made it possible for the Highlander to reach 0 to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds.

In addition to the 3.3L engine, 2004 V6-powered models were equipped with a new 5-speed automatic transmission, replacing a 4-speed automatic transmission, while the 4-cylinder models continue to use the old 4-speed automatic transmission. This year also saw the introduction of the optional third row seat. The unibody was slightly modified behind the second row seats to include a depression on the trunk floor to accommodate the optional third row seating. On models without third row seating, the depression on the trunk floor was made into a storage compartment. (Prior to 2004 the spare tire was accessible from inside the vehicle where the third row seating would subsequently be located; beginning in 2004 the spare tire is accessible from underneath the vehicle.) Subtle changes to the front grille, front and rear bumpers, and headlights round-out the major changes for 2004.

The Sport and hybrid models each had a distinctive grille design, differentiating themselves from the non-Sport, non-hybrid models. Wheel styling also serves to differentiate the various models -- the hybrid sports a unique twin-spoke design.

The Highlander was available with front-wheel drive or full-time four-wheel drive. Beginning in 2006, Highlanders sold in Canada are offered only in a V6 four-wheel drive configuration. Hybrid models are available with part-time four-wheel drive which Toyota refers to as "4WD-i" where the rear wheels are powered by the separate electric motor.

Base models are equipped with a limited slip differential, while upscale models have a stability control system.

The Japanese Kluger was released with a center console integrated with the dashboard, while the North American Highlander initially lacked this integrated center console. The integrated center console was introduced in all U.S. Highlanders and in Canadian Limited Highlanders in the 2002 model year, and in all Canadian Highlanders in the 2003 model year. However, for these early Highlanders without the integrated center console, a smaller non-integrated stand-alone center console was available as an option, which was installed at the factory or could be installed by the dealer.

Toyota revealed the second-generation Highlander and Highlander Hybrid at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show. The sole powertrain in the ‘08 Highlander is a 270-horsepower 3.5-liter 2GR-FE V6 mated to a five-speed automatic (the 155-horsepower four-cylinder model has been discontinued). While the 3.5-liter has 55 more horses than the previous Highlander’s optional 3.3-liter V6, the dimensional increases add a claimed 500 pounds to the new Highlander’s curb weight which we expect to be around 4500 pounds. Despite the increase in power and weight, Toyota promises that fuel economy will be nearly on par with the previous Highlander which was 19 city/25 highway for front-wheel drive models, 18/24 for all-wheel drive. The Highlander has moved production to Ikeda, Osaka, Japan, where Daihatsu is based in, during its redesign.

Three trim levels will be offered (Base, Sport, and Limited) and buyers will also be able to choose between front-drive or all-wheel drive. Sport and Limited models get a standard rear-view camera that does not require purchasing the optional navigation system. Major options include leather seats, heated seats, a touch-screen navigation system, an upgraded stereo, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, and a towing package that increases towing capacity to 5000 pounds.

Toyota has announced that it will go on sale in North America in July 2007, with the hybrid version to follow two months later. In addition, a new production facility is being built in Blue Springs, Mississippi, which will begin producing Highlanders for the North American market in the 2011 model year.

In Australia, the new generation Kluger was launched in August, 2007. There are 3 grades available, KX-R, KX-S and Grande. All grades are available with either 2WD or AWD. The base model KX-R is also available with either 5 or 7 seats, whilst the latter grades are 7 seaters only. Specifications are mostly similar to the US Highlander, sharing the same 3.5 litre V6 2GR-FE engine and 5 speed automatic transmission. However, there are no plans at present to introduce a hybrid version of the Kluger into the Australian market.

Initially, the Highlander/Kluger was a regular, non-hybrid SUV driven by an internal combustion engine, but later Toyota introduced a hybrid version, the Highlander Hybrid that utilizes the company's Hybrid Synergy Drive technology combined with the company's 3MZ-FE 3.3 liter V6 engine. The Highlander Hybrid was unveiled at the 2004 North American International Auto Show, and was offered to the public in July 2005 as a 2006 model.

The 2006 Highlander Hybrid is priced starting at US$33,030, or US$6,590 more than the price of a similarly-equipped non-hybrid Highlander. In Japan, the hybrid version was called the Kluger Hybrid.

The 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid will be arriving dealer lots in October 2007. It features the second generation Hybrid Synergy Drive, and will allow an electric only mode for short distances. Weight, cost, and fuel economy have been improved.

The new Highlander Hybrid will feature Toyota's VDIM stability system. The system integrates full-time four-wheel drive with intelligence, electronic brake and throttle control, and true electronically-controlled active steering. Japan will continue to keep the Kluger Hybrid brand name.